Preparing for Sunday October 12th

This week’s focus is on what it means to believe in the holy catholic Church. Given much of what we see on a regular basis, this sometimes seems like the most ridiculous claim of the creed. How can we say the church is holy when it is made up of such ordinary and sometimes difficult individuals? How can we say the church is “catholic,” or “universal,” when we are divided into more denominations than we can count and we argue and fight even among them? How can we say it is catholic when Sunday morning is the most segregated time of the week? And why can’t we just give our lives to Christ, pray and study at home and just ignore this thing called Church?

I honestly doubt we’ll cover it all this week, but I look forward to reflecting on and celebrating this beautiful and frustrating gift of God called the Church!
Here is our scripture for this Sunday:

4I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. 7But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8Therefore it is said, “When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people.” 9(When it says, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) 11The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 14We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love. EPHESIANS 4:1-16

1. What does it mean to say we believe in “one body and one Spirit . . . one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism”? What does that say about denominational differences? What does it mean to believe in “one faith”? What makes the “one baptism” effective?

2. What does the image of the church as the body of Christ tell us about the nature of the church and the nature of the unity it exhibits?

3. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in all of this?

4. If we believe in the one body of Christ, what does it say about our strong reactions for and against certain denominations within that body?

5. Paul begs us to lead a life worthy of our calling. The Greek word for church is Ekklesia – or “to call out.” What would you need to change in your life if you were to live a life worthy of being a part of those who are “called out,” that is The Church?

See you on Sunday!

Join Me in the 10 Day Give

Perhaps the greatest problem with stressful times like ours is that our focus moves from God and others to our safety and security. So as we listen to the stock market do its thing and wonder if the situation in Iraq will ever be resolved, and worry over who will be our next president and what will it mean, perhaps this is the best time to stop for a moment each day to focus on someone else. So I'm inviting you to join me in the 10 Day Give!

Weekly Review October 3rd

Quite honestly, this is more of a monthly review! Sorry I've been so behind but I've been busy with church and conference responsibilities and now I'm preparing for a trip to West Virginia for my grandparent's 70th anniversary! But here is a sampling of articles that have caught my attention lately!

I'm sure all of you have wondered how the candidates shape up against the teachings of the United Methodist Church! If so, check out this guide.

Are we born liberal or conservative?

I'm working on it, but are you comfortable being uncomfortable? To what extent are you willing to change for the sake of a new generation?

Sarah Palin has brought Pentecostalism to the attention of the media, but it is also one of the fastest growing parts of Christianity in the world. Sarah Palin and Women Preachers!

Is there a relationship between sobriety and stewardship?

More on the Gospel Today Controversy.

What questions should pastors ask themselves as they leave church each Sunday?

Want to increase church attendance? How about advertising the fact that statistics show that teens who attend church regularly have higher GPAs?!

The Truth about Teen Girls

Jail and Jesus

What stock would Jesus buy?

3 Signs of a Miserable Job

I'll miss Paul Newman! I have a soft spot for good looking actors who know how to make a marriage work!

What to do when your teen complains about church? Make him or her go!

College students are rebelling! Forget that contemporary stuff, give them liturgy!

See you when I get back from Terra Alta!

Image: Steven and I at Grandpa and Grandpa's 50th Anniversary Celebration!

Sarah Palin and Gospel Today

Two unrelated news items of the past few weeks have me reflecting on the role of women today: Sarah Palin and the Gospel Today controversy. I suspect no one reading this blog is unaware that Sarah Palin is the Republican nominee for vice-president of the United States. She is the darling of conservative Christian Republicans which is strange since many of them hold to a strict interpretation of scripture which would never allow Sarah Palin to preach in their churches! (I’ll share a few reflections on this dichotomy in my weekly review). However, some of you may be unaware of the controversy over this month’s Gospel Today magazine which features women senior pastors on the cover. Lifeway has placed the magazine behind the counter at their stores. You can buy it, but you must ask for it. Essentially treating the idea of women in ministry as we treat pornography!

As a young child, I remember the old Virginia Slims ads: “We’ve come a long way, baby!” And we have—in less than a hundred years we have been granted the right to vote; we’ve taken our place in the workplace; and we’ve had two women as vice-presidential candidates and nearly had a woman as a presidential candidate. No one blinks anymore if you meet a woman lawyer or doctor or mayor or governor. Yet, within the church, women have not come quit as far! The Methodist Church has been ordaining women for over fifty years; yet within my conference less than 15% of pastors are women. Despite the fact that I live in one of most highly educated areas of the country, I am often the first woman pastor anyone has met or heard preach. And since moving to New Life, I have been even more aware of my gender and the “problem” that my gender creates in my ability to do ministry.

The past 100 years has brought unprecedented change in all areas of our lives. We’ve gone from horse and buggy to the space shuttle; from telegraph to internet; from the front porch to chat rooms. Within our faith, we have gone from one primary English translation (KJV) to a myriad of possibilities, a handful of denomination to a myriad of worship possibilities; from people with ethnic identifications to an increasing multi-racial population. So much change! And I wonder if our attitudes toward women’s roles have not taken on some of the weight of the stress of all this change.

What does it say about our culture (if anything) that we can consider a woman as president and vice-president but not as our pastor? What does it say that some will vote for or not vote for a woman based solely on her gender? What does it say that some of us (me included) couldn’t bring themselves to vote for either major woman candidate because of the feeling that they are too masculine in their leadership styles?

I remember soon after I was appointed to Trinity, I received an e-mail from some man in Athens (Alabama) asking how I justified being in ministry and my response was simply that God called me and the only way I could be faithful to God was to respond to that call. And that on judgment day, I was the one who would stand before God and make an accounting and I didn’t want to be found unfaithful. I still don’t think of myself as a feminist. But I find myself confused to be in a place where I am judged heretical to follow God’s calling on my life by people who will vote for a woman to be a heartbeat away from the presidency of the United States.

I don’t have any answers to these questions. They’ve simply been rolling around in my head this week.

I Believe in the Holy Spirit

Obviously, this has not been the week for blogging! Hopefully, I can get caught up soon!

But here is Sunday's Sermon: I Believe in the Holy Spirit.

Back to the Basics: I Believe in Jesus Christ . . .

.[Who} will come to judge the quick and the dead.

A Music Meme

1. Of all the bands/artists in your record collection, which one do you own the most albums by? CDs – Rich Mullins, Albums—Bob Dylan

2. What was the last song you listened to? Being Alive by Dean Jones from the Musical Company – Love that Broadway channel on Sirius!

3. What’s in your record/CD player right now? A CD from the band Sister Grace that played at Hazel Green’s Women’s Retreat.

4. What song would you say sums you up? I’m Just A Girl Who Can’t Say No from Oklahoma –need to work on my boundaries when it comes to commiting my time!

5. What’s your favorite local band? I don’t know—how about New Life’s Worship Band

6. What was the last show you attended? I guess it was The Band That Made Milwaukee Famous at the Crocodile Café in Seattle in April of 07.

7. What was the greatest show you’ve ever been to?.Jimmy Buffett in Auburn while I was a student!

8. What’s the worst band you’ve ever seen in concert?.I heard some really bad singers on open mike night at a Jazz Club in Seattle

9. What band do you love musically but hate the members of? Hate? How about don’t approve? Lots of them but I guess I”ll have to go with Green Day

11. What show are you looking forward to? I would really love to see Jimmy Buffett in concert again!

12. What is your favorite band shirt? I shouldn’t admit this—but it was a Hank Williams Jr t-shirt (does he count as a band) that said, “If you don’t like Hank Williams . . .” (I've not worn it since I had kids and not only would it not fit now but I wouldn't dare wear it!)

13. What musician would you like to hang out with for a day? Rich Mullins – of course that will have to wait for the next life.

14. What musician would you like to be in love with for a day? Oh—I think Craig would prefer I pass on that--(But probably Bruce Springstein)

15. Commodores or solo Lionel Ritchie?.Commodores

16. Punk rock, hip hop or heavy metal? pass

17. Name 4 flawless albums:
Tales of Imagination and Woe –Alan Parsons Project
The Jesus Record—Rich Mullins
Blood on the Tracks—Bob Dylan
Children of Sanchez—Chuck Mangione

18. Did you know that filling out this survey makes you a music geek? Sure

19. What was the greatest decade for music? Of which century ;-D 1960s

20. How many music-related videos/dvds do you own? Don’t know—not too many unless you count movie musicals

21. What is your favorite movie soundtrack? Right now—Chicago

27. What was your last musical ‘phase’ before you wised up? My tastes are too eclectic for a “phase” I’ve always listening to lots of different styles. My last “phase” was a period in my teens when I listened mainly to 60s folk but I haven’t really wised up.

28. What’s the crappiest CD/record/etc. you’ve ever bought? A tie between Extreme’s Pornograffitti (perhaps the title should have been a tip off!) which had only one good song “More than Words” and Dexy Midnight Runner’s Too-Rye-Ay which also only contained one good song, “Come on Eileen”

29. Do you prefer vinyl or CDs? CDs

Preparing for Sunday Sep 21 - Sheep and Goats

This week we come to the last of the statements dealing specifically with the person of Jesus Christ: “I believe in Jesus Christ . . . who ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father where he will come to judge the quick and the dead.” The creed reminds us that the cross and the resurrection are related to the ascension of Christ, his eventual return, and a judgment of all people. The gospel of Matthew of all the four gospels spends more time exploring what this future judgment will look like and most of the talk of judgment comes in the form of parables. Chapter 24 of Matthew talks about the return of Jesus for which we must watch, because despite many popular books to the contrary, we do not know the time or the season. Then in chapter 25, Jesus shares a series of parables that continue the theme while expanding to explore the judgment that accompanies that return. Our lesson this week comes as the third of these parables following the parable of the ten bridesmaids and the parable of the talents.

31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ 41Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ 45Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:31-46

1. The gospel of the Matthew is the only gospel that refers to “the church” and in it is in this gospel that we find the most references to the future judgment. In most of the parables and teachings related to the judgment, many people are surprised by how they are judged. In this scripture the sheep didn’t realize they were doing anything worthy of reward and the goats were unaware they were (or rather were not) doing anything worthy of punishment.
• Who do you think was Jesus’ intended audience for these stories?
• And what does that mean to those of us who are a part of his church?

2. Some people believe that God is more just than loving and that we must therefore “scare” people into a relationship with God with the threat of judgment. Others believe God is more loving than just and that therefore God must not be capable of punishing. Scripture, however, points toward a God who is both fully love and fully just.
• Where do you see a God of justice in this scripture?
• Where do you see the God of love? If God is both just and loving, how does that impact our understanding of judgment?
• Should Christians fear or eagerly anticipate the judgment to come?

Just some of my thoughts this Wednesday afternoon.

Image "The Last Judgment" by Eric Gill

I Believe in Jesus Christ . . . who on the third day arose

It was Easter in September Sunday at New Life as we explored what it meant to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

And here are a few of my favorite pictures from Sunday's baptisms.

Weekly Review Sunday September 14

Wow! What a great day at New Life today. 50 of us gathered at Lake Guntersville for the baptism of a family of 7 plus one other young lady. We celebrated Holy Communion and had a picnic lunch together. It was a wonderful moment! I hope to share pictures soon!

Here are some of the things that caught my eye this week!

A New Kind of Leadership -- Does this make me a young evangelical?

Ever wonder what the letters that prompted Paul's letters were like? Check this out!

Should we ignore 2000 years of church history? I think not!

As Hurricane Ike approached Galveston and some chose to ride out the storm, I couldn't help thinking about the family legend which claims that my great-great Grandfather rode out the great hurricane of 1900 on a houseboat. Keep those in the wake of Hurricane Ike in your prayers!

Steve West reflects on dancing in front of a casket.

Bishop Willimon reflects on the importance of a teaching church.

Check out the nerdiest rap songs.

Preparing for Sunday . . . I Believe in Jesus Christ . . .on the thrid day rose from the dead

This week we have passed the half way mark in our study of the Apostle’s creed and we find ourselves at the claim that is at the center of our faith: We believe in Jesus Christ . . . [who] on the third day rose from the dead. Resurrection—it is the lens through which we see the entire gospel. Without resurrection, the cross would have been the end of the story and thus we could not properly say that we proclaim the gospel—GOOD NEWS!
With that in mind, here is our scripture for Sunday:

1 Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, 2 through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain. 3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.
1 Corinthians 15:1-11

• The cross most often displayed in Protestant churches is empty. Unlike a crucifix which reminds us of the sacrifice Jesus made for us, the empty cross reminds us that the cross was not the end of the story. What does the fact that Jesus was resurrected on the third day mean to you? Is it the central focus of your faith? Why? Or why not?
• A bit later in this chapter, Paul reminded the Corinthians: “. . . if Christ is not raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Corinthians 15:16-19)
o What does this say about the role of resurrection in our salvation?
o What does Paul mean when he says in verses 1 and 2 that the good news (of resurrection) has been proclaimed, received and now it is that through which they are being saved?
• This passage is found in the middle of Paul’s discussion with the Corinthians about spiritual gifts. We often think of resurrection in terms of the life beyond this one, but what does the placement of this passage say to us about the meaning of resurrection to our daily lives?

Back to Basics -- I believe in Jesus Christ . . . crucified, dead and buried

I Believe In Jesus Christ . . . who suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried!

Weekly Review --Sunday Sep 7th

Have any of you discovered Cha Cha? My kids have introduced me to the next best thing to the Foy Union Student Desk! And better yet, you can text a question and they'll text you back with a response! It's a trivia lovers best friend!

Now on to more serious stuff . .

Let's hear it for loud, scatalogical Christians! (Actually I had a professor at Vandy who maintained there was a connection between scatology and eschatology because eschatalogy was about what God would do with the mess we've made of this world.)

Agree or not, this essay expresses what many think about Christians.

You might be a faith blogger if . . .

Can the church learn from Pixar?

Dim or bright lights in worship? Have I mentioned I love the natural light in our sanctuary?! But so far, I'm in the minority on this poll (of course only 13 people have responded!)

I may be a quiet critic but I am a critic and I agree wholeheartedly with Jim Wallis' observation on Sarah Palin's speech. Speaking of which, check out what John Ortburg's reflections on religion and politics as well as Eugene Cho's rules on Christian civility in politics.

Some studies related to abortion and economic growth. And an emerging ethic for pro-life progressives.

Personally, I'm glad to know that bra burning is a myth.

Oh to be tailgating on the Plains!

While in Seattle with my Institute for Clergy Excellence Group we met with "The Three Amigos" who have made great strides in Interfaith Dialog and now they have a forum!

"Have To" or "Want To" Sermons

Am I Called to Preach?

and finally--


Image "Blinded By the Light" by evaxbebra

Preaching: Notes or No Notes

Over at Jesus Creed, Scott McKnight gave his thoughts on the book, "Preaching on Your Feet" which encourages throwing out the manuscript and preaching without any notes at all. While I haven't read it(and given my growing stack to books to be read I won't), his review did make me struggle yet again with my decision to preach without notes.

Now one would think that a book encouraging the practice would encourage me to continue, but I found I disagreed with several of his observations about the practice. So I thought I would share the book's observations with my comments and invite you to share what you think.

So here are his 15 advantages to preaching without notes. My observations are in italics.

1. Time management: you save the hours it takes to write out a sermon or write out thick notes. I disagree! I find preaching without notes increases the time I need to prepare a sermon. Obviously, you have to spend an equal amount of time on study and reflection. I find I still must write a manuscript. I do find this takes less time because I don't struggle with exact turns of phrases because I know I won't have it in front of me. But it takes much more time to go from manuscript to outline to internalizing the message. This is much easier with a narrative type sermons than more instructional sermons, such as my current sermon series. In any case, preaching without notes increases not lessens the time to prepare!
2. Connection with the audience: eye-to-eye is better than eye-to-manuscript-to eye. The struggle here is palpable for those who sit and listen. I can't disagree with this. But I find that good manuscript preachers can also maintain good eye contact. When I heard John Ortberg in San Diego last year, I did not find his manuscript limited his eye contact and I actually found his delivery more compelling than another well known preacher whose sermon--delivered without notes--seemed slick and well practiced.
3. Remembering: if you can remember it, they can remember it. Good point!
4. Humility: struggling to find the best word is normal human existence. But is it distracting to those listening?!
5. Adaptability: good preachers read the eyes of those who listen and adapt and adjust to the levels of comprehension. That should still be true when preaching from a manuscript. He seems to assume that manuscript preaching does not allow for adaptability but that hasn't been my experience.
6. Holy Spirit led. Who says the Holy Spirit doesn't lead in the quiet of the pastor's study?!!! I find this to be the most ridiculous claim of those who preach without notes. Furthermore, I find this is most often used an excuse for lack of preparation and lack of responsibility for the direction of a sermon.
7. Personality trumps plagiarism. Good point.
8. An act of faith. Absolutely! This is one of the reasons I am still preaching without my notes.
9. Growth in confidence.
10. Readiness.
11. A walk with God is more intimate to preaching. Like a couple of the earlier comments, I don't see why manuscript preaching can't reflect an on-going walk with God.
12. You become sharper (if not smarter). We'll see. . . .
13. Fresh delivery.
14. Joy in preaching. Once again, why would a manuscript limit joy?! And I've heard plenty of passionless preaching without notes.
15. Audience is expectant. One of the reasons I hesitated to preach without notes to begin with was the feeling that it was a trick-like the tightrope walker who has the safety net removed--"HEY LOOK AT ME!" Granted it might be more entertaining but is it more edifying?

As you can see, I still have a love/hate relationship with preaching without notes. I began the practice because the New Room did not have a lectern or a pulpit and after a couple of embarrassing times of moving music stands and sending music flying, I decided to give up trying to have notes nearby. For nearly two years I preached without notes in the New Room and with a manuscript in the sanctuary. But then I decided to experiment with not using the manuscript in the sanctuary and for six months or so prior to leaving I left the manuscript behind. Now at New Life, the pulpit is just too far from the congregation and I'm back to my New Room problem.

The things I miss the most about manuscript preaching are: (1) the great transitional statement or turn of a phrase that I struggled and prayed about that I simply forget on Sunday morning. (2) Consistency between the sermon preached at the two services. I know some would think this is the advantage of not using notes--fresh each time. But it also means that sometimes one service gets a different sermon simply because I forget. (3) Let's be honest, some days I don't feel like I have the additional time that it takes.

For those of you who preach, what do you think?

For those who listen to preaching, what do you think?

Preparing for Sunday -- I believe in Jesus Christ . . . who suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified dead and buried.

In the center of the creed, we find the central claims by which the entire creed is understood. Without the claims about Jesus, we would be just another sect of Judaism. Yet the Christian faith has claimed form the beginning that because of Jesus—because of who Jesus was and what Jesus did—the world has been radically changed! Last week, we discussed the radical notion that God—almighty maker of heaven and earth—would chose to let go of glory, take on flesh, and dwell in our midst. This week we explore the even more scandalous notion, the God in Jesus died for us and in that death he defeated sin, death, and evil!

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
(1 Corinthians 1:18-25 NRSV)

For those of us who spend a lot of time in church, the idea that Jesus died for us on the cross is just assumed. We talk about, sing about, and read about. Driving down the road reading billboards and church signs, one would get the impression that all you have to do is show a person a cross or declare that there is power in the blood and folks would flock to your church. Yet, Paul declares the cross foolishness. What happens to our faith when we lose the sense of the foolishness of the cross?

• Paul says that the message of the cross is foolishness to the perishing and the power of God to the “us who are being saved” (see also 1 Cor 15:2 and 2 Cor 2:15)? We often talk about people as “saved” or “unsaved” but Paul doesn’t use those terms. What does Paul’s use of the phrase “being saved” say about salvation? What does the phrase “those who are perishing” say about those who do not believe?

• By the foolishness of the cross, God defeated sin, death, and evil. As followers of Christ, we have been called to “take up our cross and follow.” What does that mean for those who claim to survey the wondrous cross and seen a love so amazing that it demands our souls, our lives, our all?

See you on Sunday!

Image Cruxifiction at Barton Creek Mall by James B. Janknegt

Weekly Review

Thanks to a wonderful Monday off, I'm actually doing a weekly review this week! Be sure and keep those in the path of Gustav in your prayers and if you are in the Birmingham area, check out the Conference website for ways you can help.

Carol Howard Merritt asks, "How do you keep Sabbath?"

In honor of my husband and my eldest son: The Steven or Stephen Quiz (I love Mental Floss!)

Tony has a new blog focusing on youth ministry. Check it out!

A reason to be proud of Auburn--but here is an even better one!

“In a curious inversion, religion is one of the possible places from which one can deploy critical doubts about today’s society. It has become one of the sites of resistance.” Hmmm . . .

Wikisermons?

We upped the legal drinking age to stop the problem of college binge drinking now college presidents want us to drop the legal drinking age to stop it. Perhaps we aren't addressing the real problem!

The future of theology?

Interesting insights on Christians living inside culture rather than outside of it-with an even more surprising male bias given the main point of the essay.

My kids will be so excited--texting is green!

The Bishop on Young Clergy as well as reflecting on Christians conferencing about the Iraq War.

5 Things Super-Happy Couples Do Everyday

I find this scary!

Donald Miller's wonderful Monday Night Benediction for the DNC! (The low point of the convention for me was Wednesday night listening to the ABC newscasters saying, "We have to interrupt this prayer, but . . ." The next night we switched to PBS's coverage!)And be sure and check out Donald's Miller's e-mail exchange with Obama!

Speaking of which--even businesses are calling for more (real or fake!) authenticity! (Check out my image above--it has "Authentic Food Court flavor!) What does this have to say to the church?

Keep track of your fuel efficiency!

And in honor of the season of state fairs: 5 Amusement Parks that Are No Longer Amusing and a few of my favorite memories (one which is no longer amusing, one which is no longer an amusement park, and one which is the best state fair in our state!)
StoryBook Land then and now! Oh the joy of a chocolate Yahoo while on the way back home for this visit to fantasy land!
Glen Echo Park (Where I learned a hatred for wooden roller coasters that I later overcame and whose House of Mirrors is still fresh in my mind!)
State Fair of Texas! Can you believe at age 11, we were given bus passes and a day off from school to go the fair ON OUR OWN!

In honor of the Conventions

Something for everyone!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

I Believe in Jesus Christ

God's only Son, our Lord, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

Preparing for Sunday -- I Believe in . . . Jesus Christ, His Only Son, Our Lord

1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:1-11

This week, we are exploring what it means to believe in “Jesus Christ, his only son our Lord, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.” As such, we are contemplating that amazing event called “incarnation” where God took on flesh and dwelt among us. For Paul talking to the Philippians, who were apparently having a bit of congregational infighting, this declaration was more than just a theological statement, this is an ethical statement. If they truly believe then they will have the “same mind” that was in Jesus Christ.
1. According to Paul, Jesus “humbled himself” by taking on human likeness? What does it mean to say Jesus humbled himself? Is that different from Jesus humiliating himself?
2. What does glory look like when seen through the example of Christ?
3. What would our individual lives look like if we had “the same mind as that was in Christ Jesus”? What changes would you have to make in your life if you followed the example of Christ in taking on flesh and being obedient unto death?
4. Paul is not talking necessarily to individual Christians but to a congregation in turmoil. What do his words have to say to us as a congregation? If we were in full accord and of one mind (and that the mind of Christ!) how would we operate differently? Worship differently? Serve differently?
See you on Sunday!

I'm a Quiet Critic? What are you?

I took the Church and Politics quiz over at Leadership Journal and I am firmly (right smack in the middle) of the Quiet Critic quadrant. When I first read that I was not happy--surely I'm not as political disengaged as that! But then I read their definition of Quiet Critic: Quiet Critics steer away from a direct role for the church in politics, instead emphasizing the church's purity by maintaining a separation from the state. Quite honestly, that is what I believe--so a quiet critic I am--someone who believes the church is called to be prophetic but not entangled with the state.

I'm curious---what are you? You can take the quiz here.

Happy Women's Suffrage Day! So Go Out and Vote!

Living neither in Grant nor technically in Huntsville, I do not have the option to vote today. However, I do think it is a wonderful coincidence that the 88th anniversary of the passing of the 19th amendment giving women the vote falls on an election day.

I confess I have taken the right to vote for granted. After all the 19th Amendment was passed a few months before my grandmother was born! On the other hand that means we have only had the right for two generations! When I think of the women who fought for our right to vote, for people of all races who stood up for the right for blacks, women, Indians and even the poor to have the right to vote, and for the men and women who have died so we could have this right, I am absolutely amazed at how lightly we take this wonderful privilege!

So for those of you with local elections today, pray, put on your raincoat and go to your polling place and exercise your right to vote that others suffered and died to give you!

I Believe in God . . . Maker of Heaven and Earth

Today, we continued exploring the Apostle's creed by reflecting on what it means to believe in God, maker of heaven and earth.

One more in honor of the Olympics

and because I can't quit laughing! (Thanks to Bill Brunson and Dave Barnhart for sharing on Facebook!)


and speaking of Dave Barnhart, another thanks to Dave for introducing me to the Heavy Metal Monk!


and to Eddie Kennamer for introducing me to the preaching toddler!

Here, there and yonder -- August 24

First, a shout-out to Shane Kennedy and the Trinity Singers for sharing their gifts with the New Life congregation this morning! It was wonderful to have Brandon Shapiro accompany us on the hymns, Matthew Shapiro played a wonderful composition of his own for the postlude, and the Singers themselves almost made me cry when they sang "Walk Along Beside Me." Music--good music--is such a part of Trinity that I'm sure the youth have no idea how much their gift added to our worship today!

The past few weeks have been very busy! I'm behind on many things so naturally updating my weekly internet discoveries has not been the highest priority. But on this rainy Sunday afternoon, I thought I'd take some time to share some of what I have been reading midst all the running around!

Due to the nature of my current sermon series on the Apostle's Creed, I've been very aware of news related to beliefs and the impact they have on people. So check out what "flat-earthers" really believe; the mindset of the Class of 2012; the impact of the belief in "do-overs"; one young woman's belief in the power of logic; the power of belief in a good God midst a world of pain; and do we truly believe in a gospel in which there is not Greek nor Jew?

Is conflict inevitable between Christians and Muslims?

What will it mean for the U.S. if minorities becomes the majority?

How to avoid common Power Point mistakes! (Be sure and check this one out!)

Living together--the new "norm"

Naming the Elephants: Words from Young Adults in Ministry

Beer and the Bible? Theology on Tap? What will folks think of next?

Unusual places to find Jesus.

Sinners in the hand of a really cool God?

Britain is Repossessing America!!!

Eric Bagwell is starting a sermon series: The Gospel According to U-2! Sounds great!

Over at Theoblog, they are asking for people's memories of The Late Great Planet Earth. My memory is of my first "real" date when I was sixteen and the only movie my parents would let me see (read less than an R rating) showing was The Late Great Planet Earth -- the relationship lasted about as long as the movie.

What should we do about Biblical ignorance?

A beautiful blessing for students

Larry reflects on journaling (not one of my strongest spiritual disciplines!)

Coffeepastor reflects on the roller coaster ride of ministry which he calls pastoral bi-polar.

I want to join with Joshilyn Jackson in her Monday resolution to be more like Jesus and less like a hun! (By the way, if you haven't read any of her books I highly recommend you check them out!)

Would you buy fire insurance from this man?

Before Google, there was Foy Union! As all AU students know, if you have a question you call Foy Union. But Foy Union is going the way of all worn out ugly buildings and so the Student Desk is moving but you can still get your answers!

24 hours of Christian Television. This hour: Joel Olsteen.

And in honor of the Olympics, a reflection on that great Olympian, Eric Liddle. (I need to pull out my copy of Chariots of Fire!)

Preparing for Sunday--God Maker of Heaven and Earth

This week, our worship will focus on praising God who is the maker of both heaven and earth! Or to borrow from another creed (United Church of Canada) that really resonates with me: “We believe in God who has created, is creating and has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new.” Here are the scriptures we will focus on this week:

In the beginning when God created . . . God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. 1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. 2 And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.
Genesis 1:1a, 31-2:3
O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes, to silence the enemy and the avenger.
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8

Stephen Hawking once said, “Even if there is only one possible unified theory [of creation], it is just a set of rules and equations. What is it that breathes fire into the equations and makes a universe for them to describe? The usual approach of science of constructing a mathematical model cannot answer the questions of why there should be a universe for the model to describe. Why does the universe go to all the bother of existing?”

The psalmist and the writer of our passage in Genesis are not concerned with answering the question of how heaven and earth were created but with the bigger question, “Why?” To say we believe in God maker of heaven and earth is to say that we have some idea of why the universe goes to all the “bother of existing.” Furthermore, it tells us something about why humans exist and for what purpose. And perhaps the greatest insight comes from reflecting on the character of this God who creates.

• Hawking asks why the universe bothers to exist. Christians might ask why God bothered to create the universe. Why did God go to all that bother?
o What does God’s desire to create something say about God?
o What does God’s desire to create humanity say about God?
o If you did not have access to a Bible, what could you learn about God from looking at creation? Is there anything you would assume about God from looking at creation that you find not to be true of the God revealed in the Bible or in Jesus Christ?
• If God is the author—creator—or all we can see and in the words of the Nicene creed—of all things visible and invisible, what does that say to us about our relationship with God’s creation?
o What does it mean to say that humankind has “dominion” over God’s creation?
o What does that mean in our daily lives?
• The Old Testament indicates that the Sabbath was not established as a day to go to church but as a day of rest in remembrance of God’s creation. Laying aside debates on when the Sabbath should be observed, what does this say to us about the need and practice of Sabbath keeping?

Just a few of the things I’m pondering this Wednesday morning.

Image "The Hand of God" by Rodin

Confession time

. . . okay so that was how the beautiful worship setting looked before I managed to know over the fiscus tree hiding the speaker. Now the congregation knows just how clumsy I am!

I Believe What I Believe is what makes me what I am!

This Sunday, we continued exploring the Apostle's Creed by focusing on the phrase, "God, the Father Almighty." Our worship was really enhanced by our new worship setting. And I wish everyone could have heard the band leading the contemporary congregation singing Rich Mullin's Creed as well as the passion in which both congregations said the creed this Sunday!

And next week, the Trinity singers will bless us with their presence!

(Thanks to Wendy for the wonderful worship setting!)